Tourism banquet honors local businesses, invests over $115K in community projects
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch received the 2026 Meet Mt. Pleasant Tourism Award during an annual celebration recognizing the people and organizations supporting tourism in Isabella County. The event also highlighted tourism’s $354 million economic impact, awarded grants to community projects, and recognized local hospitality leaders.
What’s Happening: On Oct. 14 the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (MPACVB) hosted its 20th annual Meet Mt. Pleasant Tourism Banquet at the Courtyard by Marriott at Central Michigan University (CMU) to celebrate tourism in Isabella County. At the banquet, they distributed the 2026 Meet Mt. Pleasant Tourism Award, honored Meet Mt. Pleasant Experts, announced Destination Development Grants, and awarded a CMU scholarship recipient.
Local Tourism By The Numbers: Tourism in Mt. Pleasant is the third-largest industry behind education and healthcare, according to MPACVB. In 2024, tourism contributed to over $354 million in economic impact in Isabella County. Tourism also generated over $39 million in state and local tax revenue for Isabella County.
The 2026 Meet Mt. Pleasant Tourism Award Recipient: The annual MPACVB Tourism Award is given to a recipient who shows outstanding support for the tourism industry in Mt. Pleasant. This year, the MPACVB announced Papa’s Pumpkin Patch as the recipient. Since opening in 2000, this multi-generational farm has offered educational opportunities, hayrides, farm parties, rides on the Pumpkin Train, a Michigan Maze and Pumpkin Maze, plus shopping in the country farm market which offers fresh produce, baked goods, cider, and more.
What Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is Saying: At the banquet, Papa’s Pumpkin Patch owner Bill Miller Jr. accepted the award, honored to join past recipients who he says “I’ve looked up to, respected, have tried to emulate, and look to advice from.”
In 2006, Bill Miller Jr. and his wife Laurie took over the farm from Miller’s parents, expanding operations for the community year-over-year. While his parents are now deceased, Miller says the farm is continuously “growing into what they wanted.”
“We’re going to keep growing and doing things,” he says. “As far as this award goes, it’s a community award. We host people from around the world … It’s our goal to do as much as we can for as long as we can.”
Destination Development Grants Awarded: The MPACVB awarded 15 Destination Development Grants totaling $115,114 to support area projects in Mt. Pleasant and Isabella County. The 2026 awardees and their projects are as follows:
Sleepy Dog Books Foundation – Mt. Pleasant Storybook Trail
Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport – Airport LED Lighting
Broadway Theater – Marquee and Façade Improvements
Art Reach of Mid Michigan – Paint the Pavement 2027
For Art’s Sake – Market for the Arts 2027
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum – Water Works Table Improvements
Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Banners along Mission Street in Partnership with CMU, the Community Relations Committee, Paint the Town Maroon, and more.
Isabella County & Middle Michigan Development Corporation – Restoration of the 1876 Courthouse Cupola
Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation – New Safety Barriers
Chippewa Watershed Conservancy – Hubscher Preserve Parking along M-20
Mt. Pleasant Little League – Bullpen Pitching Mounds at Pickens Field
Martin Ice Arena – Improvements to the Isabella County Sports Plex Locker Rooms, Seating, Heaters
Morey Courts Recreation Center – First-Impression Landscaping, Foyer Seating
Mid Michigan College Foundation – Volleyball Equipment at the Morey Events Center
Shepherd Cross County – Course Permanent Speakers
2026 William Brehm Tourism Scholarship Awardee: Recognized for leadership qualities and dedication to the hospitality industry, Emily Hurd, a junior from Swartz Creek studying event and recreation management with a minor in entrepreneurship at CMU, was awarded the 2026 William Brehm Tourism Scholarship.
Meet Mt. Pleasant Expert Certifications Announced: During this year’s banquet, the MPACVB also recognized 25 different experts from Central Michigan University, Mid Michigan College, Soaring Eagle Waterpark, Holiday Inn & Suites, the Baymont Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, the City of Mt. Pleasant, Morey Courts, Hampton Inn, and Fairfield Inn as certified Mt. Pleasant Experts following completion of the MPACVP program through Learn Tourism.
Author
Related Articles
Made for More in Clare is helping area women start a new chapter
Christine Smith knows how powerful it can be when someone sees your potential. Now, through Clare’s Made for More Initiative, she’s finding ways to help other women feel seen and take their next step.
October Events You Won’t Want to Miss
October brings crisp fall days, homecoming celebrations and plenty of seasonal fun to the Mt. Pleasant area. From CMU and Mount Pleasant High School homecoming festivities to live performances, educational events, Halloween activities and opportunities to support important causes, there’s something happening for everyone this month.
What’s Happening in Mt. Pleasant This September
September brings plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the beginning of fall in Mt. Pleasant. From live music and community fundraisers to festivals, family-friendly activities, local markets and more, there’s something for everyone throughout the month.
